Milwaukee, WI (WISN/CNN) - Four Milwaukee police officers have been charged with performing illegal strip searches. The accused officers appeared in court Tuesday.

An investigation into their conduct was launched in March after several citizens complained they were subjected to illegal body cavity searches.

"Quite frankly, I'm disgusted by the willful actions by some of the officers in our police department, and I'm appalled by the willful inaction of some other officers in our police department in failing to stop the egregious conduct. It's a disappointing day for me, it's a disappointing day for this city who we are all sworn to protect," said Chief Ed Flynn with the Milwaukee Police Department.

Jeffrey Dollhopf, Jacob Knight, Brian Kozelek and Michael Vagnini are all charged with violations of the strip search law and misconduct in public office.

Nine alleged victims claim they were the victims of illegal cavity searches and sexually assault.

Only one of the officers actually faces a sexual assault charge.

They're all free without bail awaiting a preliminary hearing on November 2nd.